Česká Skalice is a town in in the Hradec Králové Region of East Bohemia. It has about 5,000 inhabitants (2025). It lies on the Úpa River and on the shore of Rozkoš Reservoir. The town is known for the Ratibořice Castle and Grandmother's Valley, both associated with the work of one of the most important Czech women writers, Božena Němcová.
Understand
[edit]Get in
[edit]Česká Skalice is located about 8 kilometres (5 mi) west of Náchod and 24 km (15 mi) northeast of Hradec Králové.
The I/33 road from Hradec Králové to Náchod (part of the European route E67) passes next to the town.
Česká Skalice is located on the railway lines–Prague–Trutnov and Pardubice–Svoboda nad Úpou.
Get around
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See
[edit]- 1 Ratibořice Château (Czech: zámek Ratibořice). Baroque architecture and Bohemian landscape makes it among the best-known and most-frequented places in East Bohemia. The park surrounding the château is a designed landscape park which leads into the Grandmother's Valley (Babičičino udolí), now a National Natural Monument. The castle and the valley are visited for its connection with life and work of Božena Němcová, who belongs among the most impactful Czech writers.
- 2 The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie), Malá Skalice. It is a Baroque building from the 18th century.
- 3 Božena Němcová Museum, Malá Skalice. Opened in 1931. In addition to an exhibition about the life and work of this writer, it also includes a collection of paintings by Julie Winterová-Mezerová donated by the artist.
- 4 The old town hall (Bývalá radnice), Hus Square. Built in 1586, rebuilt in 1864 in the neo-Gothic style after a fire.
Further afield
[edit]- 5 Josefov Fortress (Pevnost Josefov), Jaroměř town. A large historic defence complex of 18th-century military architecture built between 1780 and 1787. Over the years, the fortress has been converted into a residential district.
- 6 Opočno Castle (zámek Opočno), Town of Opočno. Apr Oct: Sa Su 10:00-15:00; May Jun Sep: Tu-F 10:00-15:00, Sa Su 10:00-16:00; Jul Aug Tu-Su 10:00-17:00; open on some additional dates around Easter and the end of October, and for events. A former aristocratic residence rebuilt in the Renaissance style in 1560–67. The castle is opened to the public and serves as a museum with many historical interiors, a gallery, a library, ethnographic collections, and an armoury housing weaponry from 16th to 19th centuries including oriental weapons. Separate tickets for 1st floor and 2nd floor: adult 220 Kč, senior/youth 18-24 180 Kč, child 6-17 70 Kč.
Do
[edit]A path called “Bathildina stezka” (Bathilda's Path) runs into the valley from the château park. On the way to the mill, you will pass along the high brick wall of the former manorial garden called “Květnice” (Flower Garden) of 1801.